The first place in Brazil where they had JALAPENOS! I didn't…read morethink that it would be hard to find a restaurant with jalapenos, even Dominoes doesn't offer jalapenos on their pizza. They have indoor and outdoor seating but when we went here they didn't have outdoor seating set up. It was a Wednesday afternoon - so we were seated immediately. They have English menu available! They have the Vegetarian dishes conveniently located (marked as vegetariano) We ordered Vegetariano Nachos. It was so yummy! The closest thing we would consider to Authentic Mexican food we've had in a while so we were super excited. lol. It had actual cheese baked on instead of that nacho cheese grossness, it had diced jalapenos, sour cream, baked beans and they have mild and spicy sauce on the table. Both yummy. They have Guarana Antarctica instead of Kuat, just FYI. All in all - glad that I was able to eat some food with jalapenos.

This is a gem in Ipanema. Very small, a dozen tables- and very casual. Their luncheon specials are…read moredelicious bargains. Finally decent guacamole!Their salads are a good size and well done.Highly recommended for lunch.

They finally got corn tortillas for tacos! Now I can eat here gluten-free!…read more The lady who constructed my taco was really nice! She even let me throw on one extra condiment free of charge (shhh). I got a taco with black beans, veggies, sautéed onion salsa, guacamole and some medium salsa. It was really good and hearty. 3 tacos is only 25 reais! Can't beat that! There are some high tables outside. They are a bit crooked but still nice to sit outside. Good and quick option for lunch or dinner.

Whoohoo! Thanks yelpers Ryan and Fernando for pointing this place out. We don't spend much time in…read moreIpanema anymore but we're coming back from centro and wanted something for lunch. We remembered our friends' reviews and happened to jump out of the bus on the right block. There's three little restaurants, all fairly new, on this block all right next to each other and we'll have to come back to check them out. Overall great concept, good use of a tiny space with a glass counter so you can both see and pick your toppings (handy if you forgot the Portuguese words!) with a bar along the other side for maybe 8 seats. The area looked clean, well managed with a tiny bathroom in the back, hooks under the counter to hang your back and even an outlet to plug in your electronic. Options of meat (frango, carnitas, barbacoa, chili or veggie) and a variety of salsas, and toppings (cheese, sour cream, rice, beans, etc) gives you the opportunity to customize your meal. We got the small burrito (which was a healthy portion) with carnitas, cheese, sour cream and the hottest sauce. Unlike Chipotle, they actually mix the ingredients before rolling up the burrito so you don't have all the meat on one end of the burrito and cheese on the other. Despite the chili markings saying it was spicy (and I don't like spicy) it wasn't. However the chicken quesadilla with cheese, tomato, and pico de gallo was significantly spicer (despite saying it was mild). The slushy margarita mix with optional add in flavors of strawberry or green apple it exactly as it sounds. Don't expect any recognizable brand of tequila. Plenty of other refrigerantes were available as well. They do deliver and you can do take out too, so it's convenient either way. Pleasantly surprised by this find.

If you're looking for a spot that serves American bar food, shows American sports with English…read morespeaking bartenders, Blue Agave is the spot. The food isn't great but if you're trying to watch the Super Bowl like us, it worked out perfect. Everyone is really chill, you'll meet fellow English speaking friends from Europe and Australia.

Really enjoyed this expat owned bar. My small posse and I went to watch the US women's soccer team…read moredestroy Japan and sat at the small bar. Around us, nearly everyone was having conversations in English and even the bartenders (while fluent in Portuguese hailed from the US). While it's not every day that I seek out an American refuge, I was super happy that this place was showing the game and that I got to enjoy it around people who were similarly pumped. So that's the tip, if you're looking to watch a popular American sporting match, Blue Agave is likely to play it over local Brazilian soccer games (which they probably show as well). My margarita was properly made and one of the better ones I've had in Brazil and the chicken tacos along with the al pastor were similarly satisfying. Great, cozy spot in Ipanema to grab a drink and a bite to eat.

Decent Mexican food in the heart of lively Olegario Maciel in Barrinha. Live entertainment…read more(mariachis) throughout the evening. Fun place to start out before heading out to other bars in the immediate vicinity. One word of caution: do not eat sour cream in Brazil or you might catch Brazilian Montezuma's Revenge. Guacamole and the salsa is fine.

You all need to work on getting orders to the table faster and drinks to customers before the food…read more(main thing: give more attention to your tables versus making sure all tables are full). Todos vocês precisam trabalhar para obter pedidos para a mesa mais rapidamente e beber para os clientes antes da comida (principal: dar mais atenção às suas mesas do que garantir que todas as mesas estejam cheias).

First impression walking in here: the smell. It's the smell of bad decisions, spilled beer, and…read morenot-cleaned-up upchuck. It's like they modeled themselves after a US dive bar, and somehow imported a certain eau-du-hurl from a place like The Alley in Carlsbad. I'm in beautiful Ipanema in beautiful Rio, why-the-f would I want that? Never ate here, for reason stated above, but beers were cheap and cold and guys serving them have a good sense of humor. There is a patio area across the street in the General Osorio plaza that is open on busy summer nights. I think it's theirs but I never hung out there. Want somewhere with good food, strong caipirinhas, and a new-bar-smell? Go diagonal across the plaza to the new Belmonte, and see my other review, which I'm writing up shortly...

Banana Jack is a great place to go out and celebrate any occasion with a group of friends. Besides…read morethe pub, Banana Jack has a great space outside with a nice ambience. Every once in a while during the evening you get the opportunity to swing the wheel of fortune for extra discount or free drinks. Also for funny drinking games you are at the right place at Banana Jack. If you want to be sure to enjoy an evening at Banana Jack you'd better make a reservation, because it can be pretty crowded. Don't expect 'haute cuisine' or a perfect attendance, you go to Banana Jack to drink and have a good time with your friends!